My Doula dream was started by an overwhelming sense to support families and new mums. It is something that has been a continuous thread and passion for me since becoming a Mum myself. After a difficult start to my own journey in motherhood, where services and support felt so limited, I had an overwhelming sense to give support to new mums and make their experience more positive. My journey began when I started as a Homestart volunteer in 2010, a charity supporting families in need with young children. In that time I attended a breastfeeding workshop and my love for supporting and empowering mums and babies was fulfilled. I became a breastfeeding peer support worker at my local hospital on the postnatal ward, where I helped and supported mums in their first few hours/days following birth,  helping initiate breastfeeding and providing encouragement and support to new parents. This led on to me volunteering at my local children’s centre and as a volunteer at my local school. As a breastfeeding support worker, I was later asked to join the Children’s Centre team in 2012 as a permanent paid employee. I was delighted! I got stuck in and really enjoyed the work. I helped facilitate antenatal sessions for local parents and trained as a baby massage instructor and regularly taught parents baby massage. I also have helped facilitate and run various parenting courses, antenatal feeding workshops and interactive sessions for Mums and their babies/children. Being a Doula and now currently working in Early Years Education in a main stream school means I get to be part of those very first weeks.....from being born and then transitioning into education for the very first time. I am a nurturer at heart and I openly offer you my own experiences of being a mum and working with numerous families over the years. For me the sense of complete joy at being able to support and nurture you as parents and your baby/babies on your journey is exciting and, above all, being with you to share your amazing experience….the first few days and weeks of having a baby means transition for you and the whole family and as you enter this journey into parenthood I will support you and your family. One of the most simplest, most effective ways of support is just being there to listen, someone to offload to and most of all be present with you, giving emotional support, active listening and encouragement to feel confident in your new role as parents. I am patient and kind and I will give you the choices which best meets your needs. I can provide evidence based information and signposting of information where needed. As someone who has worked with local families for many years I can also share with you my knowledge of recommended specialists such as cranial osteopaths, baby groups, local children centres, reflexology and much more. I am married to Peter and have 2 daughters born 1998 & 2003. I was born and raised in Hillingdon. My background before I had my girls was mainly office based secretarial work. I knew early on that once I had a family I would venture into more community based work. When my youngest went into full time school this is when my journey started. I love all things creative – I love to face paint at children's parties when I have time, tend to my garden, and most of all I love being outdoors and taking my beloved cockapoo dog Albert George for long walks. I have supported 100’s of new parents within my various roles since 2001 guiding, advising and most of all, listening to concerns that they may have and encouraging them with utmost sensitivity and confidence to move forward. As a Postnatal Doula some of the things I offer  : 

• Emotional and practical support.
• Look after baby while you shower, rest, go for walk, or take timeout for yourself.
• Signpost useful information.
• Provide nutritious meals.
• Light housework – empty dishwasher, clothes washing, tidying etc.
• Dog walking
• Running errands
• Listen to your concerns or answer any questions you may have.

If you would like to find out more about me and see if we connect,  please get in touch for a no obligation meet up.

 Testimonials... Jo was nothing short of an angel. We met with Jo before our son was born and that was it, mind made up, we knew we wanted to benefit from her positive energy and kindness. Jo helped in so many ways from being a listening ear, helping with washing, bottle sterilising, looking after our son so I could leave the house for a few hours and so much more. Our son is now 13 months and Jo still touches base! We hugely appreciate everything Jo xx ****** 

Jo has been absolutely amazing, a real Godsend. I was very ill after giving birth, and although I have a lot of family around it still wasn't enough. I wanted to make sure I was doing the best for my baby girl. Jo offered us the help and support we really needed. She was always on time, had lots of good advice to offer and became a very good friend of the family. Jo was, and I know still is, at the end of the phone for any concerns I had, and there were lots of them! Every little rash, cold or change in the baby I would contact Jo, who would reassure me that these things were normal and what I could do. She took me to the children’s centre and went through the process with me at a time when I was terrified to take the baby out in her car seat! . Jo took the time to establish Breast Feeding and her knowledge was amazing, she also showed me baby massage techniques  and various other things like cutting the baby’s nails which I was really scared to do! Jo helped me build up my self-confidence again and I can not thank her enough for that. I feel a lot more comfortable looking after my baby, knowing that I am doing my best for her and that’s all a baby needs. Thanks Jo, we will always be grateful.    Monit - Hayes ****** 

We were incredibly grateful in the first few days and weeks that followed the birth of our baby girl. Although this was last year before Jo embarked on her Doula journey I was recommended by a friend who received breast feeding help from Jo. I was apprehensive about how I was going to feed my baby or even if I was able to!  I was able to be very relaxed around Jo and I know this all helped in getting established with the feeding, not only did she support me with the feeding she went above and beyond with help around the house too, she was a constant support to me and my family and I know just having her with us made all the difference to us having a great start with our new baby. I was able to relay any concerns to her and she was able to reassure and support me throughout her time with us.      Thank you Jo.   Claire - Northwood